THE LASTING LEGACY OF ROGER MOORE
THE James Bond movies have always had a huge following all over the world. Created by writer Ian Fleming, the fictional super-suave British spy inspired 26 films.
The James Bond cult in the 1970s inspired local movie makers to come out with their own super spy, Jafri Zain, played by the late Tan Sri Jins Shamsuddin.
The late Tamil movie star, Jai Shanker, was the South Indian version of James Bond, playing the role of CID Shankar in Tamil movies in the late 1970s.
Such was the impact of James Bond that people flocked to the cinemas whenever a new Bond movie was released.
Bond movies promised action, sophisticated gadgets, state-ofthe-art weapons, exotic locations, demented villains and, most of all, sexy women.
The movie’s score, which accompanies the introductory scene of Bond walking, has become the signature theme of Bond films, and is most looked out for at the beginning of every Bond film.
Among the seven British actors who played Bond, Moore played the character in more films than any other actor.
He was Agent 007 on Her Majesty’s Secret Service with a licence and view to kill in seven movies from 1973 to 1985.
He was in his mid-40s and older than Sean Connery by two years when he took the role over from the latter.
He retired from the Bond movies after A View To a Kill in his late 50s.
Moore brought a different kind of Bond to moviegoers. While Connery was macho, Moore was dashing and humorous.
Many of us who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, when there was no cable television, were captivated by Moore’s The Saint television series, where he played the role of Simon Templar.
Moore also acted alongside Tony Curtis in another television series, The Persuaders!, which was shown on Malaysian television in the 1970s.
Moore also acted in The Wild Geese, Sea Wolves, Curse of the Pink Panther and The Quest.
After retiring his “licence to kill” and from saving the world from destruction, he ventured into humanitarian work.
In 1991, he became a United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) goodwill ambassador and was an active advocate for children’s causes.
He was known for his humanitarian work in raising funds for underprivileged children.
Most of our generation will miss Moore, who succumbed to cancer at 89.
He will long be remembered as one who has fascinated and charmed us with his television and film roles.